Washington (CNN) - The Supreme Court has been asked to take emergency action over the validity of President Barack Obama's appointments to an independent agency, which were struck down by a lower court as an unconstitutional use of executive power.

The case sets up a potential high-stakes fight between the executive and legislative branches over so-called recess appointments, a common tactic used by Democratic and Republican administrations to temporarily put people in jobs without Senate confirmation.

soundoff(6 Responses)

whats wrong with having recess, everyone need a recess after a agreement, people need time to cool off an go back again.

February 4, 2013 09:57 pm at 9:57 pm |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

The problem is that there can be sessions of the Senate that oppose the president in every way. That causes problems because with absences in leadership causes problem with the department and the goals. It doesn't do what the Congress has legislated.

February 4, 2013 09:58 pm at 9:58 pm |

Sam

The real issue is all President appointed individuals to the administration the same way as Obama did. Pres. G. Bush used it often. So do we go back and undo all of those decisions and events those appointive did? Interesting how Republicans go after Obama when their own party President did the same acts.

February 4, 2013 10:15 pm at 10:15 pm |

Lee Lambert

It's funny how these un-subtantiated "smears" (according to the Senator quoted in this story – put out there by "right wing boggers" have made their way to the offices of the FBI and their investigative unit?

February 5, 2013 12:17 am at 12:17 am |

Rogue351

If the president runs the country the president has the right to appoint whomever he wants.

February 5, 2013 12:43 am at 12:43 am |

Jack Atherton

In the meantime, why haven't those appointments been asked to step down?